By Bellah Conte
To advance the utilization of genome editing as a pivotal tool in bolstering agricultural development across Africa, the African Union Development Agency- New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
This strategic alliance seeks to drive progress in agriculture, combat climate change, alleviate poverty, and enhance food security by leveraging genome editing techniques to fortify crops against diseases and adapt them to changing environmental conditions.
The partnership will facilitate the formulation and implementation of supportive policies, the creation of innovative agricultural products, capacity-building initiatives for institutions (both human and infrastructural), and the establishment of science-driven regulatory frameworks. These efforts aim to stimulate trade and investment opportunities in fifteen African Union member countries.
Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD, emphasized the significance of adopting a science-based approach to product development and regulation to foster innovation without impeding progress through unnecessary regulatory hurdles.
She highlighted the pivotal role of science-led industrialization in achieving inclusive growth and development within Africa, emphasizing the utilization of the continent’s scientific knowledge in collaboration with industry stakeholders.
Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of AATF, underscored the importance of enhancing public trust in agricultural research and biotechnology.
“We now have the opportunity to increase awareness among citizens about the impact of genome editing, thereby generating demand for products developed through biotechnology, which will boost productivity, improve household incomes, and bolster food and nutrition security. This partnership will enhance trust and confidence between researchers and farmers, the main users of agricultural research outputs,” Dr. Kanangire pointed out.
A more important initiative within this collaboration is the Striga Smart Sorghum for Africa project, which aims to develop sorghum varieties resistant to the destructive weed, Striga. This initiative targets the improvement of sorghum production, safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers across the continent from the adverse impacts of Striga infestation.
